Planting with E- Indoor Herb Garden

We were at Wal-Mart the other day to get dirt to winter sow (see previous posts) and we picked up a good sized pot. E just wanted it (ok- he wanted an even bigger one, but I talked him down to a slightly smaller one). We've finally decided what to do with it- make an indoor herb garden!

Since we had some pop bottles left over from winter sowing we decided the best way to sort of separate the herbs would be to use those to our advantage. Since we were afraid of the roots becoming bound we decided to cut the bottom out of them. We meant to get pics, but as you know our intentions of doing this only happen about half the time. We get to into what we are doing to stop and take pics.


  We put a layer of dirt in the pot so that there would be more room for the roots once they grown down below the pop bottles. Also so the pop bottles would line up close to the top, but still have enough room left to conceal them with dirt. Then we set the pop bottles in the pot, and filled them almost all the way up with dirt.


    The hope is that their roots will have room to spread closer to the bottom and the others will have root room closer to the top. Who knows if it will work - we sure don't. What fun is life without trying new things though?


So we planted cilantro in one pop bottle and parsley in the other. Then filled the rest of the pot with dirt (well almost to the top- we ran out of dirt, but it is pretty full and we think it will be enough). We then planted basil and red leaf lettuce in the spots without pop bottles. We know red leaf lettuce isn't exactly a herb, but E wanted to see what it looked and tasted like before we planted it outside in the Spring, so in it went!

Here is a pic of the finished product (do you like the worm peeking up out the middle that tells you if it needs watered or not- E loves it):

We'll update when they start coming in and let you know how it goes! What's something you have tried just to try it and how did it go?

-Mom and E

Widsom Wednesday

Old wives tales about parsley

We thought that today we would share information about old wives tales concerning parsley. We have had good luck with parsley- it is a herb that certainly grows well here in TN. In fact ours was going strong with no row covers until the polar vortex and of course it just couldn't survive a cold snap of below zero weather. We have found several different beliefs about parsley:

Parsley should never be transplanted but grown from seed

It is believed that the roots grow down to the devil and back up again.

You should pick parsley not cut it or you will be crossed in love

Never give parsley away-if you do the person who gave it away or someone in their family will be punished within a year

If you sow parsley on Good Friday it will ensure it comes up double

Parsley growing in a garden is a sign of a strong woman

Parsley will only grow outside the home of an honest man 

Parsley is a remedy for baldness (in both men and women) - simply grind it with water (nowadays we would use a food processor) and put the paste onto your scalp and massage. Then wash out.

Not an old wives tale but there are many medicinal and homeopathic uses for parsley:

It is suppose to be good for heart health

Helps protect against rheumatoid arthritis

It is suppose to help with urinary tract infections

Relives constipation

Helps with high blood pressure

It will make menstrual flow heavy  

Helps with prostate and spleen conditions

Also suppose to help with coughs and congestion


Do you know any old beliefs or sayings that deal with parsley?

E's Awesome Garden Plan

    E has came up with an awesome garden plan! He has been wanting to do a three sister's garden (corn with beans growing up the stalks and squash growing around shielding the roots of the others) for awhile. We just haven't got the room- you know what this means- expansion. We have a bush we have  been wanting to get rid of- it was out of control when we moved in (2006) and I haven't been successful at getting and keeping it back in control. PB always complains about mowing around it and getting hit in the face. So, if we find the time we are considering getting rid of it and putting a circle planting area in. If not we'll find another spot for our circle.
     Why a circle you ask? Well, E has plans for a circle garden. He wants the three sister's in the middle, with a path around and then potted flowers around that, a path and then root crops. To give you a better idea here is a pic:

 

Hopefully this helps- I know it's not the best quality-I had to take it on my phone, email it to myself and save it.

 Here is the key:

Brown/khaki color is the path ways.

Center green circle (lighter green with dark green border) is the three sisters planting

Small green dots with red border are potted flowers

Yellow Ovals are Cherokee bush beans

Outer green outline is root crops: carrots, parsley, purple carrots, and turnips 

I think it is pretty cool- what do you think?

P.S. Way to go E - wonderful garden design!!!

Thanks for reading- Mom and E